Verzbicas Blasts Out of Starting Gate

Lukas Verzbicas, the phenomenal high school runner/triathlete-duathlete, is worth watching. If you didn't see it in person or read the accounts in the Sun-Times and Tribune on Sunday, the 16-year-old sophomore made his debut for Sandburg High School wish a smashing win at the Lions Pride Invitational, hosted by Lyons Township in Western Springs. He covered the 4,800-meter course in 14:19.76, more than 16 seconds better than the course record he set there last year as a freshman at Lincoln-Way Central. Runner-up Sam Telfer of Lyons, an all-stater last year, came in at 15:15.62. Everyone wants to see what Verzbicas do on Sept. 19 at the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational at Detweiller Park, site of the state meet in November, but Lukas may be tapering that week for the International Triathlon Union Short Course World Duathlon Championship in Concord, N.C. Then it's likely he'll focus on cross-country throughout the rest of the fall. This kid is incredible. There's no telling what he might do before his high school career is over.